​Good morning, PGCPS Community,

As we reflect on the tremendous progress our students have made during the 2024-25 School Year, as shown in the Virginia Department of Education’s release of school and student outcomes, I’m writing to share important information on student achievement and the continued growth at our schools.

School Accountability

First, as part of the VDOE’s School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF), elementary and secondary schools are evaluated across several components, specifically mastery, growth (for elementary and middle schools), readiness, and graduation (for high schools), to determine what performance category a school falls under during a given academic year. The new accountability framework also includes updated language to provide families and educators with an overview of a school’s performance. 

For the 2024-25 School Year, Prince George High School received a Distinguished designation from the VDOE. A Distinguished designation means a school is exceeding the state’s expectations across the Framework components and serves as a model of best practices from which others can learn. 

Additionally, all of Prince George County’s elementary schools and J.E.J. Moore Middle School received the VDOE’s On Track designation, indicating that these campuses are meeting the state’s expectations outlined in the Framework. Finally, our schools are fully accredited, meaning all PGCPS campuses have met all of Virginia's requirements and standards to operate.

It should be noted that N.B. Clements Junior High School is not included within the VDOE’s performance categories. The school’s eighth-grade cohort is counted as part of J.E.J. Moore Middle School, and their ninth-grade cohort is counted as part of Prince George High School.

​The release of this data by the VDOE confirms the trends and outcomes we have seen in our schools - that our students are learning and being prepared for life after high school, and I am incredibly proud of our school staff for their commitment to supporting our students and delivering high-quality instruction in our schools every day.

To learn more about the VDOE’s performance categories as part of the Framework, visit the VDOE website linked in this message. 

Standards of Learning (SOL) Testing Outcomes

The data release also included key information for PGCPS and its schools, including student pass rates for Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests administered during the year and preparation for success after high school. Prince George County students continue to demonstrate content knowledge through their outcomes on state-standardized tests, outperforming the state average in several testing categories. Data from the VDOE shows, during the 2024-25 School Year:

* PGCPS’ overall reading performance (76%) is above the state average (74%).

* PGCPS’ overall mathematics performance (75%) is above the state average (72%).

* PGCPS’ overall history performance (68%) is above the state average (66%).

Additionally, Prince George County’s third through eighth-grade mathematics SOL test takers outperformed the state average by nearly four points on average during last year’s assessments. Further, in the reading SOL category, the county’s third through eighth graders were in line with or outperformed state averages during the 2024-25 School Year. 

PGCPS teachers and instructional support staff have helped drive these positive outcomes by aligning instruction with updated standards and creating engaging lessons that equip students for success. This progress is further supported by the division’s Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) initiative, which promotes strong literacy skills through classroom instruction and community outreach, including family reading nights and special projects. This year, PGCPS expanded its VLA supports from grades 3–5 to now include students through eighth grade, extending these proven resources to even more learners and families.

Prince George High School Graduation

Finally, I am pleased to share that 92.17 percent of Prince George High School’s Class of 2025 earned a standard or advanced diploma. 

This accomplishment, reflected in the school’s Distinguished designation from the VDOE, highlights PGHS’s continued commitment to preparing students for whatever path they choose—whether that’s Enrollment in higher education, Employment in the workforce, or Enlistment in service to our armed forces, as outlined in the state’s Three “E” Readiness Framework. 

Closing Reflections

I am proud of our students and school staff who implemented new standards in math and reading, alongside a new reading assessment and curriculum, all in the same school year. 

This year's results will allow our school staff to continue to create engaging and enriching learning experiences and provide support for our students, while investing in professional development and growth opportunities for our staff that allow them to deliver exceptional lessons that give our students the tools they need to not only succeed, but thrive both at school and in the world upon graduation.

I am also thankful to our families and community for entrusting us with the important responsibility of educating the children of Prince George County. 

I invite you to learn more about the VDOE’s School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) by reviewing the resources provided on the VDOE’s website. Additional assessment data and information for schools, school divisions, and the Commonwealth are available for viewing and downloading on the VDOE website, and the School Quality Profile reports website.

Sincerely,

Dr. Wayne Lyle
Superintendent
Prince George County Public Schools